Homemade Advent Calendar
by Carletta on November 30, 2010
Around this time last year, we were counting down the days until our new baby arrived. This year, we’re counting down the days until Christmas with this homemade advent calendar.

You can make this calendar in less than one hour using materials you already have in your home.
Supplies:
white posterboard
red construction paper
green construction paper
yellow construction paper
brown construction paper
glue
scissors
Instructions:
Print the tree, ornament, star and gingerbread patterns. Cut out the patterns, and trace them onto colored construction paper.
Cut out 24 pairs of shapes, making a total of 48. Staple each pair together in the upper left corner.
Glue the back of each pair of shapes to the poster board. Leave the top shape free so you can write on the inside.
Print and cut out the advent numbers. Glue the numbers to the front of each pair of shapes.
Write a Bible verse, the name of an activity or the location of a surprise inside each shape. Use a small piece of tape to keep the shape closed until the day you are to open it.

Printables:
Christmas Tree and Ornament Patterns

Star Pattern

Gingerbread Pattern

Advent Numbers

Using Your Calendar:
Write an instruction inside each shape. Our calendar contains a mix of the locations of inexpensive treats like stickers or candy (for example, “Look in the Sandbox”), and activities that I have planned, such as “Make Christmas Cards,” “Bake Cookies with Mom,” and “Ice Skating at the Mall.”
If you run out of ideas, read 25 Things to Do Leading Up to Christmas

If you want to keep your calendar focused on Christ, fill each day with Bible verses that present the Christmas story.
Enjoy!

Here are some scirptures that you can use.
Biblical Advent Calendar: Countdown to Christmas Idea

Dec. 1 John 1: 1-5

Dec. 2 Isaiah 9: 2-7

Dec. 3 Isaiah 11: 1-10

Dec. 4 Jeremiah 33: 14-16

Dec. 5 Luke 1: 5-10

Dec. 6 Luke 1: 11-17

Dec. 7 Luke 1: 18-25